Best of January

I am keeping my nose to the grindstone (not as painful as it sounds) finishing up the manuscript for my new cookbook Tasting Paris, which is an ode to all the good things one can eat in Paris, and there are very many. I am stoked to announce that the photography will be done by the amazing Nicole Franzen, and I cannot wait to see my recipes and my home city through her eyes.

I have to get back to writing headnotes and processing feedback from my fabulous recipe testers and tying up all sorts of fun loose ends (“check weight of average orange,” “why is rue des Écouffes called rue des Écouffes,” “look into the biography of Arlette Lenôtre,” “OK to recommend as hangover food?”) so I will leave you with these quick notes from January:

• Reliving my wedding day by sharing it on C&Z has brightened my month immensely, and I want to thank all of you who have sent kind words and well wishes. It feels truly special to connect with you in this way.

• As part of my Monthly Museum Challenge, I went to see the exhibition on American Painting from the 30’s at the Musée de l’Orangerie (did not love the art but loved what it said about the era) and the one on Oscar Wilde at the Petit Palais, which failed, in my and my companion’s opinion, to make him come to life in any relatable way. (On the plus side, the mosaic floors of the Petit Palais are stunning.)

• If you’ll remember I am also on a monthly challenge to memorize poems, and have learned two new ones this month: Robert Frost’s Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening (“The woods are lovely, dark and deep” gives me the chills every time) and Sophia de Mello’s Les Amis, translated from the original Portuguese Os Amigos:

• I watched the series 3% on Netflix and L.O.V.E.D. it. Sort of like a Brazilian Hunger Games (it is imperative to watch it in the original version) with more mind games and less fighting. So, so good.

Thank you for all the lovely posts. This has become one of my go-to spots when I want to forget about who’s in the White House. Also, I made your recipe for vegan Swedish chocolate balls. Can’t remember the name, but loved them nonetheless. Congratulations on all of your success.

As a poetry publisher I am so thrilled to hear that you are memorizing poems! I am always cheered by ‘non-poetry’ people, i.e. not poets or in the business, evincing a love for poetry. I am going to adopt your Museum-a-month plan. I live in London and sometimes go to Paris to see art (Shchukin collection recently was a thrill) but need a push to get out in my own city. I love your blog!

About Clotilde

Clotilde Dusoulier is a French food writer based in Paris. Her focus is on fresh, colorful, and seasonal foods, making room for both wholesome, nourishing dishes and sweet treats.

An enthusiastic explorer of flavors and observer of culinary trends, she leads private walking tours in Paris, contributes to international food and travel magazines, and writes cookbooks and guidebooks. She lives in Montmartre with her husband and their two little boys. Learn more »